Even when Cabaye is fully fit, Pardew will not be able to select his first choice central midfield pairing as Cheick Tiote is likely to be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.

"When Cabaye comes back, Cheick will be gone. It is tough for us at the minute," Pardew added.

"You have seasons when you lose players and you have to be able to cope with it. If I had everybody available then losing Cabaye would not be such a blow. At the minute we cannot afford to lose anybody."